V&A South Kensington – visual story

V&A South Kensington is one of the world's largest museums of art, design and performance with lots to see and do. There are 145 galleries, spread over five floors, showcasing over 5,000 years of human creativity.

The V&A South Kensington is free to visit and you don’t need a ticket to enter. For some temporary exhibitions and events you will need to buy a ticket.

We are open daily 10.00 – 17.45. On Fridays we close at 22.00, but some galleries and spaces may close earlier.

We recommend getting to us by public transport as parking is limited.

South Kensington station

The closest underground station is South Kensington. This station is not step-free. The nearest step-free underground station is Knightsbridge, which is a 14-minute walk.

There are two ways to get to the museum from South Kensington station, through a subway tunnel or at street level.

The tunnel is the quickest way to get to the museum (4 minutes) and it avoids busy roads. This route has steps. Lighting is low-level, sounds can echo and it may be busy with school groups.

The walk takes 6 minutes and crosses a busy road.

There are three entrances to the museum: Cromwell Road and Exhibition Road are at street level and the Tunnel entrance is underground.

The Cromwell Road entrance is the main entrance to the museum. It has steps and a ramp. There are automatic doors.

This is the best entrance for the exhibitions in the Porter Gallery and the main information desk, where you can buy Membership and exhibition tickets. You can also find the cloakroom, borrow a wheelchair and access the main V&A Shop.

There are steps and a slope to the entrance and a push button automatic door. Surfaces may be uneven or slippery in wet conditions.

This is the best entrance for exhibitions in the Sainsbury Gallery, as well as the Main Café and Learning Centre.

This entrance has steps.

Inside each entrance you may see a member of security staff. They are there to keep you and the museum safe. If you have a bag, they may ask to look inside it.

V&A South Kensington is an old building with some accessible routes. Our staff can recommend the most convenient route depending on what you'd like to see.

There is no right or wrong way to explore the museum. Near each entrance there is a map on the wall, including printed maps. You can also use our digital map.

Look out for digital screens, which tell you What's On in the museum, including exhibitions, talks and tours.

There are both lifts and stairs to help you move around the museum.

Cloakrooms are available for a small charge per item. They are located to the right of both the Cromwell Road and Exhibition Road entrances.

If your bag has wheels, or is larger than 56 × 45 × 21cm, you must store it in the cloakroom.

There are standard and accessible toilets on every floor. Look for the signs around the museum or find them on the digital map. Baby changing facilities are included in most toilets.

The nearest changing places toilet is located at the Science Museum nearby.

V&A South Kensington has a dedicated Quiet Space with two Quiet Rooms that can be used to rest, reflect and reset during your visit. You are also welcome to infant feed here.

Guidelines for using the Quiet Rooms are printed on the wall.

This room has capacity for four people. It includes a sink, soap, and paper handtowels for washing. There is also a mirror, a chair with arm rests, and a window with a shade that can be drawn up or down.

This room has capacity for five people. This room also includes a fold-out baby changing station and a wastebasket to dispose of nappies.

Both rooms include dimmable lighting and an emergency call button.

There is also a Qibla (direction towards Mecca) installed on the wall in both rooms.

Prayer rugs, mats, and sensory toys are provided in the storage shelves in both rooms.

Access to quiet rooms

There are two lifts that provide step-free access to the Quiet Space. A smaller capacity lift is directly accessible from Exhibition Road entrance. This lift is also used to access the Members' Room and may be busy.

This lift is small. The doorway is about 700mm wide, and the inside is about 830mm width by 1220mm depth. It can be used by ambulatory visitors and some visitors with small wheelchairs. The Quiet Space is on Floor 2.

Visitors with large wheelchairs can access the Quiet Space via the lift at the end of the Hintze Sculpture Galleries. Entering Sculpture from Exhibition Road/Blavatnik Hall, turn right.

Alternatively, from the Cromwell Road entrance, pass through the main gift shop, down the left ramp to the Hintze Sculpture Galleries.

Follow to the end of the Hintze Sculpture Galleries. The lift corridor is to the left of the marble staircase.

This lift is also accessible from the Tunnel entrance. Ascend the stairs and turn right.

Exit the lift into Design 1900 – Now.

Pass through to the middle of Design 1900 – Now. When you arrive at the room with an atrium floor and pride flags, turn left.

You can ask for help at the information desk in the Cromwell Road entrance or you can ask staff in the galleries. They can help with finding step-free routes or where the museum may be quieter.

You can borrow a wheelchair or walking stick from the information desk in the Cromwell Road entrance. We recommend booking at least 24 hours in advance by filling in this accessibility aid form.

The V&A South Kensington contains 145 galleries showcasing over 5,000 years of human creativity. Our galleries are arranged by types of objects, such as fashion or furniture; materials and techniques, such as painting or metalwork; and places, such as South-Asia or Korea.

The museum also hosts a number of free temporary displays and paid-for exhibitions.

Some galleries may have low light levels – this is to protect the objects on display.

Places to sit and portable stools are available near gallery entrances.

Look out for:

You will need to show your ticket at the exhibition entrance. You can buy tickets online or at the information desk in the Cromwell Road and Exhibition Road entrances.

You may have to queue at busy times.

Do

Do nots

Read more guidelines for using the galleries.

The museum is often busy and noisy.

Some gallery spaces contain audio or video that play out loud.

You might find a live performance or workshop taking place in a gallery.

There are two loud announcements when the museum closes.

You can ask a member of staff to be directed to a quieter space.

Ear defenders can be borrowed from exhibition entrances, the Learning Centre and information desks. These are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

The Main Café serves hot and cold food and drink. Pick up a tray and queue at the relevant counter. Pay at a separate till.

You cannot consume your own food and drink in the Café, but you can in the museum garden.

There is a Main V&A Shop and smaller shops near the exhibition spaces, that sell a range of products inspired by our collections and current exhibitions.

The John Madejski Garden is open from 10.00 – 17.00 Monday to Sunday. Please note we will begin to close the garden from 16.40.

This hidden oasis in the centre of the building is a fantastic location to rest and reflect during your visit.

To keep the garden at its best we ask that you:

Visitors are welcome to refresh their feet in the pond, however running, splashing, swimming, and sitting in the water are not permitted. Users of the garden must remain fully clothed.

You can exit the building the same way you came in, via Cromwell Road, Exhibition Road or the Tunnel. The Tunnel entrances sometimes closes early.

We hope you enjoy your visit!